Looking for smartphone with good camera

If you want the best IQ from yr phone, just install GCam for the S24 Ultra from here https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl40/ see the samsung apk, play around with it, the jpeg quality is better than anything out there by some margin, and you can tweak and adjust to yr heart's content. I have it on my S22 Ultra and its brilliant,
That Gcam doesn't have a config for the S24 Ultra - only S23 Ultra (at this stage). I'm interested though as I have an S22 Ultra you say you use it on your S22 Ultra. Do you use the S23 Ultra config?

I'm currently using AGC 8.4 GCam v9.7 from this post on my S22 Ultra and am very happy with the results. But as I understand it you need to use configs specific to your model for best results.
 
The most natural processing one can get SOOC are the Sony's, Apple is still very processed, most reviews rate Apple in top 5 for SOOC jpegs but not the best, but if you need the best video available the Apple is king. You could try a S22 Ultra, way cheaper now, and use the Samsung RAW expert camera app, its jpegs are less processed than the standard camera app.
I have the S22 Ultra and am very disappointed with ExpertRAW. The files are not what you would expect from a 'RAW' file - highly processed, over-sharpened, over-saturated. A good Gcam is the way to go.
 
I honestly don't know all the implications but people say that Android Auto does not work (that alone would prevent me from buying it) and some apps also do not work or are not available. Than kind of makes it a risk and I would only buy it if I can return it for a full refund no questions asked - and that does not seem to be possible.
Aren't people confusing "chinese phones" with "Huawei phones"?
I am not very knowledgeable in this regard but it was my understanding that the ban for "real" Android with google apps and services is valid for all chinese brands. Is this not true?

At least I read that the find x7 ultra also does not support Android Auto so of no use for me.
No it's not true. Xioami, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, Honor all release to Western markets, except N America for obvious reasons, and all have fully functioning versions of Android including wallet and AA. I have a Chinese branded phone Honor Magic 5 Pro and it works flawlessly, bought from the Honor UK website.
Yesterday I watched a youtube video of a reviewer who actually had an Find X7 Ultra. He confirmed that Android Auto is *not* working. Also I learned that there is a patent lawsuit between Nokia and Oppo which lead to them not selling their phones in many countries (including mine).

You said you get the X7 Ultra for half the price of the S24U - where is that and how much do you pay? I bought my S24U 512G for 1.054€ from Samsung directly, the only dealer I could find the X7U offered it for 1.097€ - I would say same price, not half price. But that dealer is located in Hong Kong so not reachable for our jurisdiction should anything not work or even no delivery at all. Doesn't sound like worth the risk IMO.
 
I honestly don't know all the implications but people say that Android Auto does not work (that alone would prevent me from buying it) and some apps also do not work or are not available. Than kind of makes it a risk and I would only buy it if I can return it for a full refund no questions asked - and that does not seem to be possible.
Aren't people confusing "chinese phones" with "Huawei phones"?
I am not very knowledgeable in this regard but it was my understanding that the ban for "real" Android with google apps and services is valid for all chinese brands. Is this not true?

At least I read that the find x7 ultra also does not support Android Auto so of no use for me.
No it's not true. Xioami, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, Honor all release to Western markets, except N America for obvious reasons, and all have fully functioning versions of Android including wallet and AA. I have a Chinese branded phone Honor Magic 5 Pro and it works flawlessly, bought from the Honor UK website.
Yesterday I watched a youtube video of a reviewer who actually had an Find X7 Ultra. He confirmed that Android Auto is *not* working. Also I learned that there is a patent lawsuit between Nokia and Oppo which lead to them not selling their phones in many countries (including mine).

You said you get the X7 Ultra for half the price of the S24U - where is that and how much do you pay? I bought my S24U 512G for 1.054€ from Samsung directly, the only dealer I could find the X7U offered it for 1.097€ - I would say same price, not half price. But that dealer is located in Hong Kong so not reachable for our jurisdiction should anything not work or even no delivery at all. Doesn't sound like worth the risk IMO.
The prices have gone up by a bit since I wrote that. But fair play to getting the S24 Ultra for that price, that's £900 at current exchange rates and £3-400 less that I would have expected this close to release date. Not disputing that but it doesn't sound very Samsungesque selling for such a cheap price. Currently £1249 at Samsung uk and will revert back to £1349 after 30th Jan which is €1449 and €1576 respectively.

I saw the other day that Nokia and Oppo had signed an agreement re patents.
 
The most natural processing one can get SOOC are the Sony's, Apple is still very processed, most reviews rate Apple in top 5 for SOOC jpegs but not the best, but if you need the best video available the Apple is king. You could try a S22 Ultra, way cheaper now, and use the Samsung RAW expert camera app, its jpegs are less processed than the standard camera app.

see SOOC jpeg of the 10x lens from std camera app, IQ is really good considering the 10x focal distance.

77f2c841894c47dcb08c99585d3b792c.jpg
Was* Oppo is new king.
stock camera app vs stock maybe but not when using GCam.

--
Jostian
 
The most natural processing one can get SOOC are the Sony's, Apple is still very processed, most reviews rate Apple in top 5 for SOOC jpegs but not the best, but if you need the best video available the Apple is king. You could try a S22 Ultra, way cheaper now, and use the Samsung RAW expert camera app, its jpegs are less processed than the standard camera app.
I have the S22 Ultra and am very disappointed with ExpertRAW. The files are not what you would expect from a 'RAW' file - highly processed, over-sharpened, over-saturated. A good Gcam is the way to go.
yes the Expert RAW app is very poor, I rather use the Pro tab in the stock app, results are better than the normal photo tab results. But GCam is in another league, once you have it setup correctly :)
 
If you want the best IQ from yr phone, just install GCam for the S24 Ultra from here https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl40/ see the samsung apk, play around with it, the jpeg quality is better than anything out there by some margin, and you can tweak and adjust to yr heart's content. I have it on my S22 Ultra and its brilliant,
That Gcam doesn't have a config for the S24 Ultra - only S23 Ultra (at this stage). I'm interested though as I have an S22 Ultra you say you use it on your S22 Ultra. Do you use the S23 Ultra config?

I'm currently using AGC 8.4 GCam v9.7 from this post on my S22 Ultra and am very happy with the results. But as I understand it you need to use configs specific to your model for best results.
I can send you the config I use? I've found this version of GCam to be the best on my S22U https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl34/
 
I have the S22 Ultra and am very disappointed with ExpertRAW. The files are not what you would expect from a 'RAW' file - highly processed, over-sharpened, over-saturated. A good Gcam is the way to go.
yes the Expert RAW app is very poor, I rather use the Pro tab in the stock app, results are better than the normal photo tab results. But GCam is in another league, once you have it setup correctly :)
Yes the Pro mode in the stock app gives much more natural results, but I think it just shoots a single frame and you miss out on the computational benefits (noise reduction, dynamic range).
 
That Gcam doesn't have a config for the S24 Ultra - only S23 Ultra (at this stage). I'm interested though as I have an S22 Ultra you say you use it on your S22 Ultra. Do you use the S23 Ultra config?

I'm currently using AGC 8.4 GCam v9.7 from this post on my S22 Ultra and am very happy with the results. But as I understand it you need to use configs specific to your model for best results.
I can send you the config I use? I've found this version of GCam to be the best on my S22U https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl34/
Yes, please! I'd be interested in trying your config - do you have a link or can you make available via Google Drive etc? Or shall I DM you?

That's a slightly updated GCam version from the one I'm using - but the key is the config you use.
 
  • Jostian wrote:
yes the Expert RAW app is very poor, I rather use the Pro tab in the stock app, results are better than the normal photo tab results. But GCam is in another league, once you have it setup correctly
Is there GCam for S24 Ultra yet?
 
You can use it if your device outputs RAW to third-party apps. Gcam versions are global versions. You can use at least the primary sensors unless the device has an exception. Also, some Gcam mod versions can use Samsung app package IDs to gain some additional features as if they were a system app.



f68aa073d98e4518a8b7857d1c17d9b5.jpg
 
That Gcam doesn't have a config for the S24 Ultra - only S23 Ultra (at this stage). I'm interested though as I have an S22 Ultra you say you use it on your S22 Ultra. Do you use the S23 Ultra config?

I'm currently using AGC 8.4 GCam v9.7 from this post on my S22 Ultra and am very happy with the results. But as I understand it you need to use configs specific to your model for best results.
I can send you the config I use? I've found this version of GCam to be the best on my S22U https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl34/
Yes, please! I'd be interested in trying your config - do you have a link or can you make available via Google Drive etc? Or shall I DM you?

That's a slightly updated GCam version from the one I'm using - but the key is the config you use.
HI just DM me
 
Hi! Since you’re stuck on Android but want top-tier photography, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is your best bet—great telephoto (5x optical zoom), manual controls, and S-Pen support. If you ever consider switching, the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers stunning photos with natural colors and excellent telephoto (5x optical zoom). Both are pricey but worth it for camera quality. If budget is a concern, wait for S24 price drops or consider S23 Ultra. Cheers!
 
If you're looking for overly enthusiastic reviews, stick with Apple. If you want, "Are there phones that give you more control over exposure settings and can produce jpegs that are not horribly oversharpened and oversaturated?" then take a closer look at the Sony 1 V. I think LL Techview gives decent, not overly enthusiastic, reviews of Sony phones.

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I agree. For taking photos of hanging laundry the Sony is the best.
It's actually a photo of the solar clothes dryer in Mexico. They're illegal in parts of California.

--
Patrick T. Kelly
Oaxaca, Mexico
 
Hi Sammy, welcome to the forum.

This thread is just over a year old now and pretty cold. No shame in reviving a necro, it happens to veterans here every now and then, but don't expect much traction.

We look forward to your contributions.

 
I did actually buy an S24 Ultra one year ago. But I would not recommend it to myself now. The camera is not really good and what's worse there is no control over processing and no real raw support. But unless someone copies vivos phones or they offer the x100 or x200 ultra in the EU there is no really good alternative
 
Hi! Since you’re stuck on Android but want top-tier photography, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is your best bet—great telephoto (5x optical zoom), manual controls, and S-Pen support. If you ever consider switching, the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers stunning photos with natural colors and excellent telephoto (5x optical zoom). Both are pricey but worth it for camera quality. If budget is a concern, wait for S24 price drops or consider S23 Ultra. Cheers!
You just give him advice for the 2 worst photography flagships right now

100U/15U/FX7U are much better choice
 
The iPhone 16 Pro has a great camera. But you have to learn how to take advantage of its strengths and limits.

The iPhone is more than good enough in many situations.
Good enough is not enough to beat the best ones, (X100U, 15U, FX7U)


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The iPhone 16 Pro has a great camera. But you have to learn how to take advantage of its strengths and limits.
The Camera of the 16 Pro is even worse than that of my S24 Ultra - both of which are years behind the chinese competition. of Vivo, Xiaomi and the like.

And as I said, I cannot use an iphone due to unavailability of needed software.
 

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